[More than 80% of calls to 911 are from cellphones, and frequently they come from high-rise buildings. But too often, in cases when callers can’t communicate their location, the more than 5,000 locally run 911 centers, known as public safety answering points or PSAPs, can’t accurately locate those calls. Nor can they efficiently share relevant data with other centers. That has had serious repercussions. Fixing the system could save more than 10,000 lives and $97 billion per year, according to the FCC.
“We’re talking about diversity of equipment connecting across these IP networks in a very complex manner,” said Capt. Mel Maier of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan. “And if there are proprietary interfaces anywhere in between there, they’re not going to be able to talk. ... Our technology is continually trying to catch up and playing catch up.”]
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